(Disclaimer: this is a work of fiction. Learn to take a joke; you’ll live longer.)
Saleem Butt, a local Lahori might seem like a normal man from appearances.
But appearances can be deceptive. Because the father of two is a man consumed by his obsession with trying to prove to anyone would listen that Bollywood star Amir Khan took steroids for bringing about the change in his shape for the 2016 Hindi movie Dangal.
“It all started in 2014, before the release of the film, when the transformation Amir Khan undertook for the film became publicised,” says Butt, a former IT systems manager at a local retail firm and a gym enthusiast.
“Though I was impressed, I immediately thought something is wrong. This guy has taken steroids for this.”
“I then started out my journey of getting to the bottom of this,” he said.
“I did extensive research and analysed over 2000 publicity stills and behind-the-scenes stills of this movie.”
“I studied more than I did for my FSc, which I know is not saying much, but lets say I studied more than my doctor sister did for her FSc,” he said.
“This journey was not without its sacrifices,” said Butt, who was laid off from his job because his work was being compromised by this extensive research and getting into Facebook fights with fans of Amir Khan.
Butt, whose wife also left him, taking their two children, says a lesser man would have buckled completely under this immense pressure, but he persevered. Though he does not have formal employment, Butt is now the proud admin of “Amir Khan Takes Steroids” Facebook page.
“Just three more, and we’ve hit a hundred followers.”